For Immediate Release:
December 2009
Gilroy Library closes starting Dec. 2 for relocation Temporary site is downtown during construction of expanded library at Civic Center
The first step towards a new library for the Gilroy community will occur starting on December 2nd when the existing Gilroy Library closes for several weeks while it moves to a temporary location for about two years during construction of a new, expanded library building.
In mid-February, the Gilroy Library will reopen at 7652 Monterey Street in downtown. While the Gilroy Library is closed, patrons can return materials to the Morgan Hill Library, the Bookmobile, or another Santa Clara County Library location (Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Milpitas, or Saratoga). Online library services and Bookmobile stops in the South County area will not be affected by the temporary closure.
Storytimes and other library programs will be offered at the temporary library after it reopens. Book sales organized by Friends of the Gilroy Library are on hold until further notice, but the Friends’ Book Sale stand will be available in the library.
“We encourage people to stock up on library materials on or before December 1,” said Lani Yoshimura, Community Librarian, “and anticipate what books, DVDs, CDs, and periodicals they might need and enjoy during the holiday season. The loan period for all materials will be extended to Feb. 2 and we’ll have fewer books to move.”
The new Gilroy Library will be four times the size of the small current library building which opened in 1975 when the population of Gilroy was just 15,000. The project is funded by a $37 million bond approved by voters in 2008 and will feature technological advances and the best in “green” design. Demolition of the old library building is planned for early 2010 and construction of the new library on the same site next to City Hall is estimated to take 18-24 months.
Library patrons who want to place holds on materials should change the pick-up location to another Santa Clara County Library facility while the Gilroy Library is closed. Hold materials that arrive during the closure will be sent to Morgan Hill Library for pickup. Holds may also be suspended during the relocation period.
“The number of visitors to the Gilroy Library and circulation figures continue to grow every year,” said Melinda Cervantes, Santa Clara County Librarian. “That surprises some people who assume that the Internet is reducing library use when, in fact, the exact opposite is true. The Gilroy Library serves everyone in the community and we are excited that the small, outmoded library building that doesn’t even meet current seismic safety standards is going to be replaced with an outstanding new public facility that residents can be proud of.”
Information about online services available 24/7, Bookmobile stop schedules, and the location of other Santa Clara County Library facilities can be found on this website.
